Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Nov 16: Karnataka Bio-fuel Task Force chairman, Y B Ramakrishna, revealed that the task force headed by him is currently planning to manufacture bio diesel by using fish oil processed in three coastal districts of the state, in an effort to cut the use of petroleum products and shift emphasis on use of more and more bio fuels.

He was speaking at a press conference organized on Monday November 15 at the office of Coastal Development Authority here. “Over 60,000 tonnes of fish oil extracted by processing sardines is being exported to Europe at a cheap rate of around Rs 28 a kg. This oil is being used profitability by the importing countries. We plan to use this oil to manufacture bio diesel, after removing omega-3 fatty acids from it,” he explained.

He said that the task force is of the opinion that if Europeans can make value additions to the products imported from India, we can also do it here. “At present, the exporters get around Rs 28 per kg of fish oil. If bio diesel is manufactured here, they may get nearly Rs 50 a kg. We will hold a workshop by inviting owners of 18 fish oil processing units, scientists and industrialists in this connection soon,” he stated.

He said that at present, bio diesel is being manufactured by using Honge (Indian beech), Surahonne, Doopa (white dammer tree), jatropha plants etc., and that an area of 13.5 million hectares of barren land in the possession of the government has been identified to grow vegetation to extract bio fuels. He said that so far, 18,000 hectares have been planted and in three years, the task force targets to plant trees and plants in one lac hectares of land. He also explained about the schemes, ‘Hasiru Honnu’ and ‘Baradu Bangara’ through which farmers are involved in growing of jatropha plants by using national rural employment guarantee scheme. He also noted that 12 universities and educational institutions are involved with research on bio fuel.